THE WATCHTOWER

Question: Are angels real?

Scripture: Ps 103:20

Offer: This issue of The Watchtower discusses what the Bible says about angels and how they affect our life now.

TEACH THE TRUTH

Question: Do you think that science has disproved the Bible?

Scripture: Isa 40:22

Truth: What the Bible says about scientific matters is accurate.

CONGREGATION MEETING INVITATION (inv)

Offer: I’d like to invite you to a free Bible talk. It will be held at the local Kingdom Hall, our place of worship. [Offer the meeting invitation, point out the time and location of the weekend meeting, and mention the theme of the public talk.]

Question: Have you been to a Kingdom Hall before? [If appropriate, show the video What Happens at a Kingdom Hall?]

BUILD YOUR OWN PRESENTATION

Use the format in the preceding examples to create your own field service presentation.

• Song 31 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (3 min. or less)

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

• “Pure Worship Restored!”: (10 min.)

  • Eze 43:10-12​—Ezekiel’s temple vision was meant to move the exiled Jews to repentance and to reassure them that pure worship would be restored to its rightful, elevated state (w99 3/1 8 ¶3; it-2 1082 ¶2)

  • Eze 44:23​—The priests would instruct the people about “the difference between what is unclean and what is clean”

  • Eze 45:16​—The people would support those whom Jehovah had appointed to take the lead (w99 3/1 10 ¶10)

• Digging for Spiritual Gems: (8 min.)

  • Eze 43:8, 9​—How did Israel defile God’s name? (it-2 467 ¶4)

  • Eze 45:9, 10​—Jehovah has always required what of those desiring to gain his approval? (it-2 140)

  • What has this week’s Bible reading taught you about Jehovah?

  • What other spiritual gems have you discovered in this week’s Bible reading?

• Bible Reading: (4 min. or less) Eze 44:1-9

APPLY YOURSELF TO THE FIELD MINISTRY

• Prepare This Month’s Presentations: (15 min.) Discussion based on “Sample Presentations.” Play each presentation video, and then discuss the highlights.

LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

• Song 77

• “Why Do You Value Pure Worship?”: (15 min.) Discussion.

• Congregation Bible Study: (30 min.) kr chap. 17 ¶10-18

• Review Followed by Preview of Next Week (3 min.)

• Song 97 and Prayer

Ezekiel’s temple vision reassured the faithful remnant of exiled Jews that pure worship would be restored. At the same time, it reminded them of Jehovah’s high standards of pure worship.

The priests would teach the people Jehovah’s standards

44:23

List some examples of how the faithful and discreet slave has taught us the difference between what is unclean and what is clean. (kr 110-117)

The people would support those taking the lead

45:16

What are some ways that we can show our support of the elders in the congregation?

Jewish exiles were encouraged by Ezekiel’s temple vision because it gave them hope that pure worship would be restored. During these last days, pure worship has “become firmly established above the top of the mountains,” and we are among those from all nations who have streamed to it. (Isa 2:2) Do you regularly reflect on your privilege of knowing and serving Jehovah?

BLESSINGS OF PURE WORSHIP:

• 

  Abundant spiritual food that provides answers to life’s big questions, practical values to live by, and a sure hope.​—Isa 48:17, 18; 65:13; Ro 15:4

• A loving worldwide brotherhood.​—Ps 133:1; Joh 13:35

• The privilege of being God’s fellow workers in a satisfying work.​—Acts 20:35; 1Co 3:9

• “The peace of God” that strengthens us during adversity.​—Php 4:6, 7

• A clean conscience.​—2Ti 1:3

• “Close friendship with Jehovah.”​—Ps 25:14

In what ways can I demonstrate that I value pure worship?

• Song 139 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (3 min. or less)

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

• “Blessings That Restored Israel Would Enjoy”: (10 min.)

  • Eze 47:1, 7-12​—The restored land would be fruitful (w99 3/1 10 ¶11-12)

  • Eze 47:13, 14​—Each family would receive an inheritance (w99 3/1 10 ¶10)

  • Eze 48:9, 10​—Before land was allotted to the people, a special portion of the land would be “set apart” as a “contribution” to Jehovah

• Digging for Spiritual Gems: (8 min.)

  • Eze 47:1, 8; 48:30, 32-34​—Why did the Jewish exiles not expect every detail of Ezekiel’s temple vision to be fulfilled literally? (w99 3/1 11 ¶14)

  • Eze 47:6​—Why is Ezekiel called “son of man”? (it-2 1001)

  • What has this week’s Bible reading taught you about Jehovah?

  • What other spiritual gems have you discovered in this week’s Bible reading?

• Bible Reading: (4 min. or less) Eze 48:13-22

APPLY YOURSELF TO THE FIELD MINISTRY

• Initial Call: (2 min. or less) wp17.5 cover​—Lay the groundwork for a return visit.

• Return Visit: (4 min. or less) wp17.5​—The magazine was placed on the preceding visit. Demonstrate a return visit, and introduce one of our Bible study publications.

• Bible Study: (6 min. or less) bh 34 ¶17​—Invite the person to the meeting.

LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

• Song 62

• Local Needs: (8 min.) As an option, discuss the lessons learned from the Yearbook. (yb17 64-65)

• Organizational Accomplishments: (7 min.) Play the Organizational Accomplishments video for September.

• Congregation Bible Study: (30 min.) kr chap. 17 ¶19-20, box “Schools That Train Kingdom Ministers,” review box “How Real Is the Kingdom to You?”

• Review Followed by Preview of Next Week (3 min.)

• Song 49 and Prayer

Ezekiel’s temple vision lifted the hearts of exiled Israelites and confirmed earlier prophecies of restoration. Pure worship would occupy an exalted place for those blessed by Jehovah.

The vision promised organization, cooperation, and security

47:7-14

• Flourishing, fruitful land

• An inheritance for each family

Before land was allotted to the people, a special portion of the land was “set apart” as a “contribution” to Jehovah

48:9, 10

How can I demonstrate that Jehovah’s worship takes first place in my life? (w06 4/15 27-28 ¶13-14)

• Song 148 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (3 min. or less)

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

• “Loyalty to Jehovah Brings Rewards”: (10 min.)

  • [Play the video Introduction to Daniel.]

  • Da 3:16-20​—Daniel’s companions withstood the intense pressure to be disloyal to Jehovah (w15 7/15 25 ¶15-16)

  • Da 3:26-29​—Their loyalty resulted in praise to Jehovah and blessings to them (w13 1/15 10 ¶13)

• Digging for Spiritual Gems: (8 min.)

  • Da 1:5, 8​—Why did Daniel and his three companions conclude that their eating of the king’s delicacies would defile them? (it-2 382)

  • Da 2:44​—Why will God’s Kingdom have to crush the earthly rulerships depicted in the image? (w12 6/15 17, box; w01 10/15 6 ¶4)

  • What has this week’s Bible reading taught you about Jehovah?

  • What other spiritual gems have you discovered in this week’s Bible reading?

• Bible Reading: (4 min. or less) Da 2:31-43

APPLY YOURSELF TO THE FIELD MINISTRY

• Initial Call: (2 min. or less) Isa 40:22​—Teach the Truth—​Lay the groundwork for a return visit.

• Return Visit: (4 min. or less) Ro 15:4​—Teach the Truth—​Leave a JW.ORG contact card.

• Talk: (6 min. or less) w17.02 29-30​—Theme: Does Jehovah Assess in Advance How Much Pressure We Can Bear and Then Choose the Trials We Will Face?

LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

• Song 124

• “Be Loyal When Tempted”: (8 min.) Discussion.

• “Be Loyal When a Relative Is Disfellowshipped”: (7 min.) Discussion.

• Congregation Bible Study: (30 min.) kr “Section 6​—Kingdom Support—​Building for Worship and Providing Relief,” chap. 18 ¶1-8

• Review Followed by Preview of Next Week (3 min.)

• Song 72 and Prayer

The account of the three Hebrews can strengthen our determination to be loyal to Jehovah

3:16-20, 26-29

According to the following scriptures, what does loyalty to Jehovah involve?

• Mt 24:14

• Joh 17:16

• 1Co 6:9, 10

Watch the video Be Loyal, as Jesus Was​—When Tempted, and then answer the following questions:

• How was Sergei pressured to be disloyal to God?

• What helped Sergei to remain loyal?

• How did his loyalty bring praise to Jehovah?

Watch the video Loyally Uphold Jehovah’s Judgments​—Shun Unrepentant Wrongdoers, and then answer the following questions:

• What situation tested the loyalty of Sonja’s parents?

• What helped them to remain loyal?

• How did their loyalty to Jehovah benefit Sonja?

• Song 47 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (3 min. or less)

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

• “Are You Serving Jehovah Continually?”: (10 min.)

  • Da 6:7-10​—Daniel risked his life in order to serve Jehovah continually (w10 11/15 6 ¶16; w06 11/1 24 ¶12)

  • Da 6:16, 20​—King Darius noted Daniel’s close relationship with Jehovah (w03 9/15 15 ¶2)

  • Da 6:22, 23​—Jehovah blessed Daniel for his unwavering worship (w10 2/15 18 ¶15)

• Digging for Spiritual Gems: (8 min.)

  • Da 4:10, 11, 20-22​—What did the immense tree in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream represent? (w07 9/1 18 ¶5)

  • Da 5:17, 29​—Why did Daniel initially not accept King Belshazzar’s gifts but later accept them? (w88 10/1 30 ¶3-5; dp 109 ¶22)

  • What has this week’s Bible reading taught you about Jehovah?

  • What other spiritual gems have you discovered in this week’s Bible reading?

• Bible Reading: (4 min. or less) Da 4:29-37

APPLY YOURSELF TO THE FIELD MINISTRY

• Initial Call: (2 min. or less) inv

• Return Visit: (4 min. or less) inv​—The meeting invitation was placed on the preceding visit. Demonstrate a return visit.

• Bible Study: (6 min. or less) bh 120 ¶16​—Encourage the student to demonstrate integrity despite opposition from a family member.

LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

• Song 79

• “Train Them to Serve Jehovah Continually”: (15 min.) Discussion. Afterward, play and discuss the video that shows an experienced publisher working in the ministry with a new publisher.

• Congregation Bible Study: (30 min.) kr chap. 18 ¶9-20, box “Where Do Our Donations Go?,” review box “How Real Is the Kingdom to You?”

• Review Followed by Preview of Next Week (3 min.)

• Song 109 and Prayer

Daniel’s spiritual routine included prayer. He did not allow anything, not even a royal decree, to interfere with his routine

6:10

What does a good spiritual routine include?

Experience shows that new publishers who are trained from the beginning to have a regular and zealous share in the ministry often become effective publishers. (Pr 22:6; Php 3:16) Here are some suggestions on how you can help a student to develop a good foundation for the ministry:

• As soon as your student is approved to be a publisher, begin training him. (km 8/15 1) Impress on him the importance of making the ministry a part of his weekly routine. (Php 1:10) Be positive in your comments about the territory. (Php 4:8) Encourage him to work along with the group overseer and other publishers in order to benefit from their experience.​—Pr 1:5; km 10/12 6 ¶3

  

• After your student gets baptized, do not stop encouraging him and training him in the ministry, especially if he has not completed the “God’s Love” book.​—km 12/13 7

  

• Use a simple presentation when working in the ministry with a new publisher. After hearing his presentation, give generous commendation. Offer suggestions that will help him to be more effective.​—km 5/10 7